The Gilden Union
"The Feudal Realm of Tension and Tradition"
The Gilden Union is a vast and semi-stable feudal society located to the north of the Rhaedian Peaks and Nahar’Rhad. Bordered by the Embriotic Ocean to the east and separated from Elyndor by a narrow strait, the Union stretches across varied landscapes, from wide plains to dense forests and imposing mountain ranges. To the north, the Shrouded Wastes loom, a fog-covered region shrouded in mystery and peril. A river, considered treacherous due to its ever-changing course, separates the Union from the Wastes.
The Union’s southern territory is marked by the massive Dwarven Sea, a lake that feeds one of Nahar’Rhad’s largest desert lakes through the Rhaedian Peaks, a source of tension between the two nations. The southeastern region is dominated by a vast forest along the ocean shore, which is also a point of conflict with Nahar'Rhad, as both countries lay claim to the valuable territory. To the north of the Dwarven Sea, a mountain range separates this lake region from the Union's heartlands. The western part of the Union, called Pelor’s Bounty, serves as the nation’s breadbasket, producing the bulk of the Union's food.
The Gilden Union is a land of internal strife and shifting allegiances, held together by a patchwork of nobles who often act as autonomous rulers in their territories. Despite this, the Council of Nobles serves as the central governing body, meeting periodically to debate and make decisions on important matters affecting the entire Union. Political maneuvering and intrigue dominate Union politics, with each noble seeking to enhance their power and influence. However, a unifying force exists in the form of the Order of Saint Arikantes, a revered holy order that follows the teachings of Saint Arikantes, whose codex, The Wisdoms of Saint Arikantes, is a guiding philosophical and moral text.
Structure
At the heart of the Union’s political structure is the Council of Nobles, composed of the leaders of each noble house. The council’s role is to make decisions on issues that affect the entire Union, such as defense, foreign relations, and trade. However, each noble is often more concerned with their own territory than with the Union as a whole, leading to constant infighting and power struggles. Many nobles dream of resurrecting the Union's former glories, though few agree on what form that should take.
The Order of Saint Arikantes stands apart from this chaos. Though nominally answerable to the Council, the Order holds considerable autonomy and wields significant influence across the Union. Many nobles fear the Order's intervention in their affairs, as the knights and priests of Saint Arikantes are often seen as incorruptible and unwavering in their devotion to their codex.
Culture
The Gilden Union is a semi-feudal society where power is distributed among a patchwork of nobles who control their own lands and often operate independently of central authority. While this gives the Union its flexibility, it also leads to constant internal tension. The Council of Nobles serves as the Union’s central governing body, but its members are in a perpetual struggle for dominance, each vying for the most influence.
Despite the constant political infighting, the Union is bound together by the unifying influence of the Order of Saint Arikantes, a holy order dedicated to the teachings of the ancient saint. The Wisdoms of Saint Arikantes, a codex with 738 rules or "wisdoms," provides a moral framework for both the Order and the society at large, though its often ambiguous and contradictory nature leads to endless debate. Nevertheless, the Order’s knights serve as the Union’s moral compass and frequently mediate conflicts between nobles, often leading crusades or holy missions to protect the Union’s integrity.
Military
The Gilden Union’s military is fractured, much like its society. Each noble controls their own feudal army, with varying levels of discipline and training. This decentralization leads to frequent skirmishes and power struggles between rival houses. In times of great external threat, however, the Union can call upon a grand muster of its forces, uniting under a single banner to defend the realm.
The Order of Saint Arikantes maintains its own elite military force, which is more centralized and well-disciplined compared to the feudal armies. The Order’s knights serve as defenders of the Union’s faith and often lead crusades against external and internal threats alike. Though smaller in number, they are renowned for their martial prowess and their unwavering faith in the codex of Saint Arikantes.
Foreign Relations
Nahar’Rhad: Tensions between the Gilden Union and Nahar’Rhad have simmered for generations, largely due to disputes over the Dwarven Sea and the eastern forest region. Skirmishes frequently break out along the borders, and while no open war has been declared, the threat always looms.
Sogaran Shogunate: The Gilden Union maintains cordial trade relations with the Sogaran Shogunate, particularly in agricultural goods and rare metals. The Union values the Shogunate’s disciplined nature, though the cultural differences between the two societies are vast.
Elyndor: Relations with Elyndor are mixed, with the two nations sharing a complex history of both trade and rivalry. The narrow ocean strait between them serves as a strategic trade route, and both nations compete for control over it.
The Shrouded Wastes: This mysterious northern region is viewed with suspicion and fear. The constant fog and shifting river boundaries make it difficult to monitor, and rumors abound of dark forces or ancient evils lurking within the mists.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Training Level
Semi-trained
Veterancy Level
Trained
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Neighboring Nations
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